The Massachusetts state police has issued a citation to troubled linebacker Brandon Spikes as a result of a traffic accident last week that caused three injuries.

Spikes, who has since been released by the Patriots due to the incident, was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, operating a motor vehicle negligently to endanger, speeding and failure to stay within marked lanes. He is scheduled to report to Wrenthan District Court at a later date to answer to the charges.

His 2011 Mercedes-Benz Maybach allegedly crashed into the back of a 2009 Nissan Murano on an interstate highway in Foxborough on Sunday morning. Three passengers in the latter were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. They were treated and released.

The vehicle driven by Spikes was abandoned. He reported via OnStar that his car had been hit by a deer, but investigators found no deer upon their arrival on the scene.

Brandon Spikes is a free agent after being waived by New England. (USATSI)